View full sizeFletcher Cox's presence in the middle will be missed against the Giants. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles will be without two defensive starters Sunday in their season finale against the Giants after defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and linebacker Mychal Kendricks were ruled out with concussions. Both are in Phase 2 of the concussion protocol.

The Eagles are trying to knock the Giants out of the playoffs with Michael Vick re-installed as the starting quarterback. Maclin said earlier in the week it would mean "a lot" to ruin the defending Super Bowl champions' season.

"One thing you don't have to worry about is NFC East games," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Guys get fired up for those."

It won't be easy to beat the Giants without Cox and Kendricks. The Eagles first and second-round picks, respectively, in this year's draft have been mainstays on the defense this season. Cox has been the Eagles' best interior lineman. He's tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks and fifth in total tackles with 65. Kendricks is third on the team with 81 tackles and second with eight stops for a loss.

Cox and Kendricks will each miss the first game of their Eagles career. Cox started the last nine games, and had 4.5 sacks over the past seven weeks. Derek Landri will start in his place on Sunday.

Kendricks began the season at strongside linebacker before being shifted to his natural weakside after the dismissal of defensive line coach Jim Washburn and the disappearance of the infamous wide-9. He's excelled in recent weeks in his new role.

Akeem Jordan will start at weakside linebacker in Kendricks' place. Jamar Chaney and Casey Matthews will fill his spot as the nickel linebacker alongside DeMeco Ryans on passing downs.

"We have a couple different combinations there," Reid said. "We'll see how it works out."